Page 27 of When the Smoke Clears

“Sorry to hear that. But what can you do? It’s life, huh?” He squeezes my shoulder as I walk past him.

I field more questions about my dad as I pass people on the way to the chief’s office, stopping just outside to get an update from Bellamy, the previous shift’s engine lieutenant who always smells like he bathed in cheap cologne.

“Morning,” I say to Chief Killmer after Bellamy finishes his update and heads home.

“Landry, good to have you back. How’s your dad?”

I sit in the wooden armchair in front of his old mahogany desk littered with files, wrappers, and empty coffee cups. “He’s okay for now. Thanks for asking.”

Chief leans back in his squeaky chair, hands folded over his broad chest. The skin along the right side of his neck is mottled from burns he sustained after the floor collapsed in a fire. His wife begged him to retire. That was ten years ago.

He now has a new wife, a headful of gray hair, and a two-year-old son who everyone thinks is his grandson. My father has dealt with the same thing. I’ve lost count of how many times people have referred to him as my grandfather.

“I really appreciate your offering Dr. Reichart a place to stay,” he says with an approving nod.

“You know her?” I can’t hide my surprise.

He hums. It sounds like a growl coming from his burly chest. “This stays between us, but I’ve been seeing her for the past three years. Lillian made it a condition of marrying me. I was skeptical at first. Shrinks have never been my thing. But it’s really helped. Anyway, Dr. Reichart is a good egg. And losing everything in a fire is tragic. We know this all too well. So your act of kindness hasn’t gone unnoticed by me. Thank you.”

“I, uh”—rubbing the back of my neck, I sit up straighter—“can’t take credit for it. Not really. Maren had a lot to do with it while I was visiting my dad. It’s only temporary. But yeah, glad to help.”

This situation is a fuckfest. I like a nice separation between my work and home life. Now Everleigh is a connection between the two, and it makes me uneasy. But since he wants this to stay between the two of us, maybe we never need to discuss it beyond today.

“Bellamy did a nice job filling in for you. There were a few minor hiccups, but that was to be expected as everyone acclimated to the new lieutenant. But we’re glad to have you back.”

“Thanks,” I say, giving him a tight smile. Am I back to stay? I don’t know. My dad is okay, but not great. It would pain me to leave this firehouse, but I’ll do it if the time comes when my mom needs constant help with Dad.

Before I can elaborate, the siren sounds, and a call comes in from dispatch. Chief and I stand and head toward the door.

I welcome anything that takes my mind off a certain doctor. Everything about this situation spells catastrophe.

Chapter Ten

“Good morning.” Liz greets me when I return home after a forty-eight-hour shift. Much like my mom, she’s in workout attire and has her hair pulled back, with a fancy to-go coffee in one hand as she scrolls her phone.

“Morning,” I say, removing my leather boots.

“Coffee?” she asks, dropping her phone into her purse on the kitchen table. “I got a latte from the shop down the street, but I can make you a pot or run and get you something.”

“Nope.” I head toward the stairs. “Sleep.”

“Sweet dreams.”

I mumble a “Thanks” and drag my tired ass up the stairs. My welcome-back shift was nonstop chaos with no sleep.

When I turn the corner at the top of the stairs, I bump into Everleigh.

“Oh, sorry,” she says. “Long shift?”

I yawn and nod, but not without eyeing her white blouse unbuttoned to reveal just a tease of cleavage. Her floral scent hijacks my next breath.

“Your hair is darker,” I say.

She runs her fingers through the long, straight strands. “Yes. I’m going back to my natural color. I haven’t done anything to it. The fading and outgrowth are more noticeable when it’s straight.”

“That wasn’t your natural color?”

“No.” She laughs. “I added red to it. I have for years, just like my mom.”